Sometimes my own ignorance astounds me.

I’ve probably read To Kill a Mockingbird five or six times since I first picked it up all those many years ago. I treasure that book. It sits (nearly invisible) in the back of my mind at all times. I view its onscreen adaptation as something beautiful. If ever there was a perfect performance, it was Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. And, who could forget Robert Duvall’s very first appearance in the movies as “Boo” Radley?

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but until just yesterday, I was under the impression that Harper Lee was a man; and I have no earthly idea why. On top of that, I was under the equally false impression that “he” was dead.

Finding out that Harper Lee is in fact a woman and very much alive was one of those “well, I’ll be damned” moments. Kind of the mental equivalent of slamming into a glass door, unawares.

Since I’m admitting my blatant ignorance here, I might as well give another example. When, pray tell, did people start referring to Portland (my hometown) as P-town? When did this start? I’ve been reconnecting with quite a few old friends lately and they all make the same reference. Have I been asleep all these years or is this a new phenomenon? Just curious.